Blog: What could be better than a nice juicy apple for a snack?

Tuesday

Dec 11, 2012 at 9:20 AMDec 11, 2012 at 9:22 AM

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What could be better than a nice juicy apple for a snack? There is an old English adage the states: "To eat an apple before going to bed, will make the doctor beg his bread." In America, the expression is: "An apple a day, keeps the doctor away." There are lots of nutritional benefits to an apple. * A medium apple has about 80 calories. * An apple has zero fats, sodium or cholesterol. The antioxidant phytonutrients in apples help fight the damaging effects of LDL (bad) cholesterol. * Apples have the mineral potassium which may help prevent strokes. * An apple has 5 grams of Pectin Fiber. Most of the fiber is found in the skin. The apple skin has lots of antioxidants which help reduce damage to cells, that can cause some diseases. Eat your apple with the skin on. * Pectin Fiber absorbs more water and stays in the stomach longer, so you feel fuller. * An apple a day may help strengthen your lung function and may help lower the risk of lung cancer. * Apples are good for your bones. Apples have a trace of boron, which studies have shown to strengthen bones and may help fight against osteoporosis. * Apples cleanses and brightens the teethe because they are mildly acidic and astringent. The chewing effect helps clean stubborn stains. It is suggested to rinse your mouth after chewing an apple. * Apples come in all shades of red, green and yellow. Red apples are the highest in quercetin. * The crabapple is the only apple native to North America. * There are 2,500 varieties grown in the United States, with 100 varieties of apples grown commercially in the 36 states. It is the second most valuable fruit in the U.S. with an orange being first. There 7,500 varieties of apples grown world-wide. * The science of apple growing is called pomology. * Apple trees take 4 to 5 years to produce their first fruit and are a member of the rose family. Apples range in size from a large cherry to grapefruit size. The largest recorded apple weighed three pounds. * The apple tree originated between the Black Sea and Caspian and was a favorite fruit of ancient Romans and Greeks. * Charred apples have been found in Switzerland's prehistoric dwellings. * To keep apples from browning after peeling and/or slicing, use lemon juice, or other juices, (lime, apple, orange, pineapple), lemon-lime soda, salt water, cinnamon, dry white wine, flat champagne, water and a crushed vitamin C pill or Fruit Fresh. (Any of these suggestions may have a effect on the taste or flavor). * Applesauce can be substituted for oil in recipes that call for oil (not margarine or butter). Applesauce is a liquid, butter or margarine is a solid. Substitute the same quantity - if it calls for 1/2 cup oil - use 1/2 cup applesauce. * Apples will ripen 6 to 10 times faster at a room temperature than in a refrigerator. * The first apple trees in the United States were planted by the Pilgrims in the Massachusetts Bay Colony and they were called winter bananas or melt-in-the-mouth. * America's longest lived apple tree was planted in 1647 in Manhattan but was struck by a derailed train in 1866. * There is evidence that humans consumed apples since at least 6500 B.C. * The largest apple crop of 277.3 million cartons in 1998. * The top apple producers are China, United States, Turkey, Poland and Italy. * The Lady or Api apple is the oldest variety in existence. * A peck of apples weighs 10.5 pounds, a bushel at 42 pounds. * The Red Delicious is the most widely grown in the United States with about 65 million bushels harvested.

The "APPLE" is a delicious fruit, packed with so many healthy nutrients and is so good for you. So why do you just sit back and enjoy a juicy healthy apple. As you enjoy your apple, think about this: "Life gives us brief moments with one another...but sometimes in those brief moments we get memories that last a life time. Also, the key to a great life: everything in moderation."

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